The RAC has announced that scrapping the hard shoulder on busy motorways will put more motorist’s lives at risk.

According to the RAC, more than half (55 per cent) of drivers do not know where to go if they break down on stretches of the new ‘smart’ motorways and 52 per cent did not know what an emergency refuge area was.

Vehicle management company LeasePlan UK has reacted to the findings, with Operations and Business Development Director Lesley Slater saying: “Changes to the motorway will bring new rules and regulations for motorists to learn and abide by. It is important for drivers to take responsibility for their own safety by staying up to date with any new laws introduced. “Confusion around what is and what is not legal on the motorway is compounded by the fact that drivers are not allowed to drive on the motorway until passing their practical driving test. This is right from a driver safety perspective but as it isn’t mandatory to have an additional motorway driving lesson, this can lead to gaps in knowledge, confidence and experience.”

LeasePlan’s top 5 motorway myth-busters

Any vehicle can drive in the right-hand lane – If you are towing a trailer, or you’re driving a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight over 7.5 tonnes, it is illegal for you to drive in the right hand lane on a motorway.

The left hand lane is the lorry lane – A recent study by the AA showed that 9 per cent of 18-24-year-old drivers thought that the left hand lane was the “lorry lane,” only to be used by those driving a lorry. In actual fact, all drivers should keep left at all times, unless they are overtaking. If the road ahead is clear, stay left. This also applies if you are travelling via the middle lane, which is illegal unless you are overtaking.

There is no national speed limit on the motorway – This is absolutely untrue. Many people believe that you can legally travel at speeds of 80 or 90 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit is 70 miles per hour, and even less at 60 miles per hour for vehicles over 7.5tonnes or those towing a caravan or trailer.

If you break down by the side of the motorway and there’s an animal in the car, you can remove it – It is generally well known that if you should breakdown on the motorway, and pull up onto the hard shoulder, that you and any passengers should get out of the vehicle. You should then stay safe behind the barrier and not attempt to get back in your car. However, perhaps surprisingly to some, this truth is not the same for your pet. Any animal should be left in the vehicle; in case it should run out onto the road.

You can stop on the hard shoulder if you are ill or need the toilet – The hard shoulder is for emergencies only. This includes a vehicle breakdown, if you are asked to pull over by the police or if you are directed to do so by signage. Many people believe you are legally able to stop if you or a passenger feels unwell, or needs the toilet. However, due to the high level of safety risk that stopping on the hard shoulder presents, this is not the case. If you feel unwell you should continue to the next exit, and pull over when you can find somewhere safe and legal to park.